Dread breakage can be a problem over time with old dreads, and if they are super-fat at the ends the weight could be pulling on your hair and causing the breakage. Also lots of bleaching or coloring can cause them to break, as well.

Tying them back is a good idea because it restricts their movement. Be sure to use an elastic that doesn’t pull or cut the hair, or wrap it all up in a piece of stretchy cloth. That will stop the dreads from getting even more yanked around and breaking off even faster.

You need some healthy stuff in the roots to keep them from getting brittle. Try a good natural conditioner or warm jojoba oil at the roots once a week.

If you can get a friend to help, gather any loose hair around your thinning locks, then using a tiny crochet hook, proceed to pull the loose hairs through the lock, making the roots stronger and more full. Try to crochet little bits of the loose hair at a time so that the hair is evenly distributed through the lock.